Does My Lawn Need Aeration
Lawns that suffer heavy foot traffic and consist of clay soil get compacted more easily, so they likely need to be aerated more often. Does rainwater run off your lawn without soaking in? Did your lawn turn brown after a few days of hot weather? If so, it might be time to aerate. Another check: Dig into a square-foot section of your lawn and inspect how deep your grass’s roots grow. If they extend less than two inches into the soil, then it’s time to aerate.
What Is Lawn Aeration
According to Cambridges Dictionary, aeration refers to “a process that allows air to act on something. When it comes to gardening, aeration is the process of poking small, long holes into the ground in order to provide the soil with good air circulation and improve the grassroots water and nutrient consumption.
Air circulation is very important as it lets stale carbon dioxide out, in turn, making room for fresh new oxygen to go in.
Lawn aeration also helps break through piled-up thatch in high maintenance lawns and reduces lawn compaction, which is the main cause of moss.
Aeration: Why How & When To Aerate Your Lawn
In order to achieve and maintain a beautiful lawn, you should employ basic lawn care practices such as properly mowing, fertilizing and watering. It is also important to ensure that nutrients can reach the soil beneath your grass. Aeration can be an extremely vital element to a healthy lawn because it allows air and water to penetrate built-up grass or lawn thatch.
Get rid of thatch and make way for a beautiful lawn with this quick guide to aeration. Youll learn why, how and when to aerate your lawn for the best results.
Don’t Miss: How To Weigh Down A Patio Umbrella
Gather Tools And Materials
Lawn maintenance is easier when you gather your tools and materials in advance. If you need a lawn aerator for this project, or a truck to transport it, contact your local Home Depot store for tool and truck rentals.
You will need:
Need help finding the best type of grass seed for your region? Read this Home Depot guide on Types of Grass Seeds.
What Is Lawn Aeration Why When And How To Do It
Maintaining a beautiful lawn is not an easy task. That is of course if youre not employing essential lawn care practices such as well-timed mowing, watering and fertilizing. But those aside, its also extremely important to ensure that the soil beneath your grass gets lots of nutrients. And what better way to do that than by aerating your lawn!
Lawn aeration is crucial for a healthy lawn, as it allows air, water, and other nutrients to easily penetrate built-up grass and lawn thatch.
So if youre new to lawn aeration, this article is just the thing for you. Here you will find everything you need to know about lawn aeration along with some handy tips.
Get rid of thatch and make way for a beautiful lawn with this quick guide to aeration. Youll learn why, how, and when to aerate your lawn for the best results.
Recommended Reading: Can A Patio Heater Be Used Under A Roof
Do You Want To Make Quick Work Of Your Soil
Regular, simple lawn maintenance tasks help when you’re trying to create a healthier, thicker lawn. Jobs that are typically done annually can play help support other monthly lawn maintenance tasks.
For many people, aerating lawns to improve grass growth and alleviate soil compaction is a regular task done annually. Every lawn or garden can benefit from having aeration done, especially when its done properly and timed well.
But when it the best time to aerate lawn? In this article, we’re going to talk about why and when you should aerate your lawn.
Need To Know Aeration Tips
- Do not aerate newly seeded or sodded grass for at least a year.
- Make sure that your fertilizer doesnt contain weed killer if you are seeding your grass. It will stunt seed growth.
- Longer tines of at least 4 inches are a good choice. This allows water and fertilizer to penetrate deeper into the soil.
- Make sure that when you aerate, it pulls the plugs out of your lawn vs spiking .
There you have it. This is a complete guide to aerating your lawn. Use these steps to create a lush and healthy lawn, and dont forget to enjoy your healthy, green yard, of course! Our lawn care experts know Colorados soil, common lawn problems, and specialize in plant health care. Contact us today!
Read Also: How To Build A Roof Over A Patio
Which Method Should You Choose
Aerators which remove plugs of soil are the most effective, according to most lawn care and turf experts.
This is definitely what I have found.
That said, the efficacy really depends on your lots type of soil. Also, consider the size of the lot youre going to be aerating when choosing a tool and method for lawn aeration.
Poking methods like spike aerators can be less effective than plug aerators due to causing additional compaction around where you place the holes.
I recommend that you use an aeration tool that pulls soil plugs at least 2-3 inches deep. These should also be no larger than 1 inch in diameter and no farther than 4 inches apart for best results.
Is Aeration Good For Your Lawn
Of course! Aeration is one of the best things you can do for your lawn. It helps oxygen, water, and nutrients reach the roots of your grass, which in turn leads to a healthier, lusher lawn. Aeration also helps reduce thatch build-up, so its a great way to keep your lawn in top condition.
Aerate Your Lawn with the Help of TurfTime Equipment
Whether youre a professional landscaper or a homeowner who likes to keep their lawn looking its best, TurfTime Equipment has the tools and expertise you need to aerate your lawn properly. We carry a wide range of commercial aerators perfect for small yards to models that can cover large areas quickly. We also carry a full line of top dressers, so you can find the perfect solution for every level of lawn maintenance youre performing!
Recommended Reading: How To Make A Patio Dog Potty
When Should You Aerate Your Lawn What You Need To Know
When your grass starts growing unevenly, thinning out, or changing color, such as turning yellow, it very likely means it needs aeration even if youre feeding it regularly. Unsightly symptoms can occur when you have tightly compacted soil because neither the roots nor the water can penetrate it. Core aerating may sound like a miracle cure for your lawn, but it can do wonders. Keep on reading to learn more about this process and when to aerate your lawn.
- Show 1 more item
Why Do You Need To Aerate Your Lawn
Although there are still many things to be learned about lawn aeration, theres one thing most experts agree on and that is that opening up the turfs surface is beneficial for it. Air and water are essential for the soil ecosystem and the soil microorganisms in it which help naturally break down thatch thus improving the lawn.
Good drainage conditions and adequate topsoil air intake are very important for the proper growth of grassroots as they help them breathe and grow. By aerating the soil, youre permitting air to enter into the soil, which leads to gaseous exchange. Meaning that the grassroots suck in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.
Having too much carbon dioxide in the soil is not good as it can limit or completely prohibit its water and nutrients intake.
However, by thoroughly aerating an area where browning has occurred, you can restore to roots ability to intake moisture again. And if done right your grass colour will return to its regular green in just around a week.
On the other hand, if the lawn is not aerated during the cold rainy seasons such as autumn and winter completely different problems can occur. For example, your soil might experience surface sealing because of the compacting effect of walking around and using garden maintenance machines that are on the heavier side.
Read Also: How To Fix Hairline Cracks In Concrete Patio
Why Do We Need To Aerate
Lawn aeration is a treatment used when the soil in your lawn is compacted. A lawn can become easily compacted if a lot of action goes on in your yard. Parking cars on your lawn, animals running around, and kids playing on the lawn are just some common ways soil can become compacted. Compacted soils make it so water and air do not reach the roots of the grass in your lawn, leaving your lawn lacking the nutrients it needs to be healthy. If you live in an area with clay soils, your soil is more likely to become compacted than areas with sandy soils. The bonds in the clay soil are much closer together, making it difficult for water and air to penetrate to the roots.
Aerate In The Spring And Fall
Spring and fall are the best times of year to take advantage of aeration. The additional moisture of spring is beneficial to root growth, and aeration allows your lawn system to take full advantage of the increased moisture. For most grass varieties, the majority of growth takes place in the fall, and the extra space of aeration encourages your root system to take full advantage of the growing season.
A strong root system acts like a carpet beneath your lawn and creates a network that makes it impossible for weeds to encroach upon. A strong root system can even help reduce bug infestations as its more difficult for insects to build nests in thriving root systems. Healthy roots are also more able to absorb water and nutrients, which make your yard healthier and reduce drainage problems.
Read Also: How To Clean Rust From Concrete Patio
Powered Types Of Aerators
For larger lawns, or if you prefer to spare your back, gas-powered aerators make the job relatively quick and easy. These heavy-duty aerators usually remove plugs of soil and grass, which is the best method of lawn aeration. Lawn aerator rental is available at many garden centers or home improvement stores.
- Pull-behind aerators look like manual drum aerators, but instead of muscling the aerating tool, a riding lawn mower does the work. This means that pull-behind aerators like the Agri-Fab Tow Plug Aerator can be heavier and spikier than manual lawn aerators, thus they can also be more effective.
- Gas-powered aerators look like lawnmowers, but instead of spinning blades that cut grass, they have spinning spikes that aerate the soil. Some multi-functional models like the VonHaus 2 in 1 Lawn Dethatcher Scarifier and Aerator contain an additional dethatcher drum for added convenience.
After You Aerate Your Lawn
After this process, make sure to remember that your lawn continually needs care. Fertilization, mowing and regular watering is incredibly important to maintain your aerated lawn.
And as Ive mentioned, right after you aerate is the best time to over-seed your lawn and amend the soil with a good organic compost.
Doing so will help the new seed and compost get down into the soil and youll see improved germination rates and improved benefit from amending the soil.
Recommended Reading: How To Build A Cement Patio
Lawn Maintenance After Aeration
There are a few types of maintenance that are very important to consider doing after aerating your lawn.
These methods of maintenance are fertilization, watering, and mowing properly.
Directly after aeration you can also add more seed while you fertilize your lawn. This is what I recommend, as its the best time to get the seed and fertilizer right down into the soil. Youll get the most bang for your buck.
Aeration opens your lawn up to accepting nutrients. This will create a thicker and healthier lawn in general, along with the aeration, and instead of a chemical or organic fertilizer, I also recommend top-dressing with a thin layer of organic screened compost. This will keep the seed moist, and add valuable nutrients to the soil.
How Does Core Aeration Work
A core aerator machine pulls out plugs of soil in your lawn to leave pockets for air and water to get through and leave room for root growth. It is important to use core aeration methods because using spikes to just poke holes in the ground could cause further compaction. The plugs of soil that were taken out by the aerator will break down and give more nutrients to your lawn. The cost of aerating your lawn depends on the size of your lawn. If you want to DIY or hire a lawn care company, there are other treatments you want to do with aeration.
Recommended Reading: How To Stain A Patio Deck
Why Aerate Your Lawn
Over time, soil tends to compact and become hard due to foot traffic, mowing, clay soil, or poor drainage. This prevents water, oxygen, and nutrients from reaching the hungry roots. As a result, the turf becomes thin, pale, or patchy.
Lawn aerationa process of making holes in the turfbreaks up hard soil so that water and nutrients penetrate the grass roots more easily. There are two basic types of lawn aerators:
- Spike aerators, which simply poke holes into the soil
- Plug aerators, which actually remove a plug of soil and grass
Both break up hardened soil, but lawn plug aerators are more effective.
The Best Time To Aerate Your Lawn
For the best results when overseeding, our lawn aeration service advises you aerate before planting. The purpose of aeration is to break up the soil and allow it to breathe. That way new grass roots can penetrate deeper into the soil and have access to more nutrients. When should you aerate cool-season grasses and warm-season grasses?
The trick is to aerate right before overseeding. The best time to have lawn care services aerate your lawn in Midwest locations is usually around August or September. In warmer states, aerate in late spring or early summer.
Read Also: How To Keep Weeds From Growing Between Patio Pavers
Water And Keep Off The Lawn
Finally, you will want to water your lawn for about 2-3 weeks.
You will want to water your lawn at least every other day to ensure your little baby grass is able to come in properly.
Be sure to follow the best practices for watering the lawn.
For best results water in the early morning before the sun rises.
Why Aerating Helps Lawns
Grass roots need air, water and nutrients to grow thick, deep and strong. When soil becomes compacted, even slightly, it inhibit the flow of the essentials that support thicker, healthier turf growth. A layer of compacted soil just 1/4 to 1/2 inches thick can make a significant difference in the health and beauty of your lawn.1 Aeration creates holes down into the soil to alleviate compaction so air, water and nutrients can reach grass roots.
Deprived of their basic needs by compacted soil, lawn grasses struggle in stressful situations, such as heat and low rainfall, and lose their healthy, rich color. Grasses gradually thin and eventually die out completely, for lack of the oxygen, water and nutrients available just inches away. Even a single aeration session can open the avenue for these essentials to reach their mark and put your lawn back on an upward trend.
Core aerators pull small plugs of soil to the surface.
Read Also: How To Put A Roof On A Flat Pergola
How To Aerate And Overseed Your Lawn
Want a greener lawn?
Who doesn’t?
Look, apart from regular mowing. One of the best ways to make your lawn shine is to aerate and overseed.
Why are aeration and overseeding so important?
More importantly, how do you aerate and overseed your lawn properly?
All of that and more will be answered into this go-to aeration guide.
Here is what you need to know…
Why Should You Aerate Your Lawn
The roots of your grass need nutrients, water, and air to help it grow thick, strong, and deep. When the soil is compacted, even a little bit, it can prevent the stream of essential nutrients that support healthier, thicker grass growth.
Even if the compacted soil is a fourth of an inch thick, it can be significant in terms of the beauty and health of your grass. Aeration makes holes in the soil to lessen the soil compaction, so nutrients, water, and air can reach the grass’s roots.
When deprived of their essential nutrients because of compacted soil, grass can struggle to grow in stressful events, such as low rainfall and heat, which causes the grass to lose its rich and healthy color.
The grass will slowly thin out and die out with a lack of their basic needs. Even one session of aeration can open up the avenue for the essential nutrients to reach the roots of the grass, and help your lawn grow.
You May Like: How To Get Acorns Out Of Lawn
What Are The Aeration Tools
Although there are several tools for aeration procedures, only two tools spike and plug aerator are regarded as the most vital. Spike aerators help you poke holes into your yard using a solid tine or fork. On the other hand, plug aerators remove a plug or core of soil and grass from the yard. Lets check them in detail:
Best Ways To Aerate Your Lawn
If you have decided that you are going to aerate your lawn, its important to do it properly.
First make sure that the soil has enough water. It will be very difficult to aerate soil that is dry. Either try to aerate right after it has rained, or water your lawn the day before you begin.
There are plenty of aeration machines that only cover a small part of your lawn are once, so try to make multiple passes over the same area, and move the machine in different directions .
If there are areas that do not need to be aerated, there is no reason to do so. Save your energy for the areas which need it the most.
In order to keep a cohesive lawn, you will want to allow any soil plugs that have been excavated, to dry and then break them up. You can break them up by running over the lawn and plugs with a lawn mower, but I use the back of a leaf rake once theyre dry.
Read Also: What Kind Of Pavers For Patio